Tunisian man denies NY terror cell plot claims

A defense lawyer says a Tunisian man arrested in New York and accused of trying to stay in the United States illegally to build a terrorism cell denies the accusations.

Authorities say Ahmed Abassi came to the United States from Canada in mid-March and met regularly with an undercover FBI agent. They say he also met with another Tunisian citizen who later was arrested in Canada in a plot to derail a train.

The federal indictment against Abassi was unsealed Thursday. Law enforcement authorities say he was arrested April 22. He was arraigned a week ago on immigration fraud charges and pleaded not guilty.

Authorities say Abassi was seeking to develop a network of terrorists.

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